Ginger Tea: A Recipe to Cleanse The Liver, Dissolve Kidney Stones and Reduce Cancer Risk

If you’re as obsessed with ginger as I am, then you’re going to love this ginger tea recipe.

Ginger is highly anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, anti-viral and anti-bacterial. Next to turmeric, ginger is one of the most powerful foods of the 21st century.

Health Benefits of Ginger Tea

It may be hard to believe but this simple ginger tea recipe comes with some pretty impressive health benefits.

Ginger Kicks Cancer to The Curb

One of the main and most noteworthy benefits of ginger is its ability to combat cancer cells while nourishing healthy cells.

The potency of ginger has been shown to combat cancer, even better than the leading chemotherapeutic drugs (1✓)✓ Trusted ResourcePubMed CentralHighly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthRead source. It acts by inducing apoptosis (cell death) in cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells alone (in comparison to chemotherapy, which kills cancerous cells and healthy cells).

Studies have demonstrated that the consumption of ginger extract has the potential to prevent and treat colorectal cancer cells (2✓)✓ Trusted ResourcePubMed CentralHighly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthRead source, while others have shown that ginger inhibits the invasion of ovarian cancer cells (3✓)✓ Trusted ResourcePubMed CentralHighly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthRead source.

Another study found that daily consumption of a ginger lemon infusion caused tumor regression and activation of the immune system in a mouse model of breast cancer (4).

Ginger Helps Support Kidney Function

The beneficial effect of medicinal plants on kidney disease is often derived from their ability to boost the natural antioxidant defense mechanisms in the body.

Ginger contains a compound called gingerol, which is an incredibly potent antioxidant. It helps draw toxins out of the kidney area, and increases blood circulation in that area, helping to dissolve hard masses like kidney stones (5✓)✓ Trusted ResourcePubMed CentralHighly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthRead source.

A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food examined the effects of ginger extract on kidney stone formation in rats. Researchers found that ginger extract significantly reduced the size of kidney stones and decreased levels of urinary calcium oxalate, a common component of kidney stones (6).

Ginger Nourishes The Liver

Chronic inflammation is often associated with liver diseases such as fatty liver disease and hepatitis. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the liver and protect against liver damage.

Studies have found that in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, ginger supplementation resulted in significant improvement in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and insulin resistance index (HOMA) compared to placebo (7✓)✓ Trusted ResourcePubMed CentralHighly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthRead source.

Ginger Is a Miracle Worker for Digestion

Ginger is well known for its benefits in relieving upset stomach, gastrointestinal issues, nausea, and more. It is an incredible “digestive enhancer” and home remedy for treating various gastric ailments like constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, belching, bloating, gastritis, epigastric discomfort, gastric ulcerations, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting (8✓)✓ Trusted ResourcePubMed CentralHighly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthRead source.

For more ginger benefits, I have a whole article that outlines them here.

How to Make Ginger Tea

So you might be asking – how do I make ginger tea?

Well, it’s really quite simple. Follow the steps below to learn how to quickly whip up your own brew:

1. Slice your ginger into thin pieces. You don’t need to take off the outer skin, but be sure to scrub off any visible dirt or black spots. You’ll be aiming anywhere from 1-2 inches of fresh ginger root per cup of tea.
2. Combine this amount of ginger with 1-2 cups of water in a saucepan (depending on if you have a giant mug or small mug – I use a big mug so I usually do 2 cups).
3. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.
4. Simmer here for about 7-10 minutes. I usually like to simmer a bit longer to really get all the actives out of the ginger, but if you prefer a lighter brew, you can simmer for a shorter amount of time.
5. Pour the tea through a fine sieve into a cup to catch the ginger. Add lemon and sweetener of choice (honey, maple syrup, etc.). Enjoy!

Is It Safe To Drink Ginger Tea Daily?

Ginger tea is generally considered safe for consumption. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health advises caution for individuals with gallstone disease due to ginger’s potential to stimulate bile flow.

Do You Peel Ginger Before Boiling?

I generally do not peel my ginger before boiling or juicing, but if that is what you prefer, you may do so. The peel also contains actives and beneficial compounds that really make the drink stronger. So if you do not want a stronger brew, you should take off the peel.

Also, if the peel has dirt or black spots on it, try to scrub it off before using the ginger with the peel on.

Can I Just Put Ginger In Hot Water?

The simplest method is to add ground ginger or a few slices of fresh ginger root directly to water. However, these methods may not fully extract ginger’s natural compounds.

Steeping ginger in hot water enhances its flavor profile and allows all the beneficial compounds to be infused into the water you’re drinking,

If you prefer a cold beverage, you can also serve it chilled (but maybe let it soak in a pitcher of water in the fridge overnight).

Let me know how you enjoy this ginger tea in the comments below!